Self-closing can top



March 10, 1931.

RR. RUNDELL SELF CLOSING CAN TOP Filed March 21, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l March 10, 1931. RR, RUNDELL 1,795,737

SELF CLOSING CAN TOP Filed March 21, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4111mm; I

Patented Mar. 10, 1931 snirr onosme can 'ror Application fil ed March 1,1927. Serial No. 177,173.

This invention relates to receptacles, cans, condiment holders; or the like, 'and more especially to-the caps or closures for the ,per forated tops of said receptacles or cans.

' xThe objects of the invention are:

First, to provide a'closure of the character above indicated which will automatically open or expose the perforations oropenings through which the contents of the receptacle escape when saidreceptacle is turned upside down, or return said closure to its closed position when said receptacle assumes its normal position. j 7

Second, to provide a closure of the character' above indicated and operate in the 1112111- ner above described which will consistof a minimum of parts, easily manufacturedat a low cost, quickly assembled and at the same time constantly function under all conditions of service; a

Third, to provide a closure which will always after properly adjusting perform all the functions to automatically open and close the perforations through whichthe contents 5 of the receptacle escapes but at the same time 7 is also adapted to be immovably held toilock the closure or cap in a fixed position and retain the contents within the receptacle vwhether the top ofthe receptacle is upwardly or downwardly disposed, as during theshiptomatically seat itself to tightly seal all open ingsqthroughwhich the contents of the .re-v

ceptacle pass, thereby preventing any access of moisture or vermin into the interior of said receptacle when not in use. 7 i Fifth, other objects and advantages ofthe invention will appear from the detailed (16 scription of the several parts, manner ofa'ssembling the same and their cooperation;

The invention consists of structural characteristics and relative arrangement of the several elements WhlCh'Wlll be'hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims. In the two sheets of drawings, in which the same reference characters indicate thesame parts in the different figures of draw- I 7 ing, v.

Figure 1 is vertic'al section of the top of a receptacle provided with the improved closure; 7 1 y Figure 2 is a top plan View ofthe Tcap. or closuref shown in Figure 1; a l I I Figure 3 is a side elevation of the neck of I the receptacle shown in Figure 1 with the closure or cap removed;

Figuret is an enlarged and developed sectional view taken on line IV -IV of Figure 3;

' Figure 5 is'a fragmentary and enlarged secs tional View taken on line VV of Figure 1;

a I Figure 6 is a top plan view of Figure 1 with the capor closureremoved; I I Figure 7 is a top plan View of a modified form of the capor closureshown in'Figures 1and2; a p p Figure 8 is a fragmentary View of a vertical section of amodified form of the cap or closure shown inF-igur'es 1 and 2; Figure 9 is a vertical section of a modified form of the invention shown in Figure 1;

s Figure 10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View of theform shown in Figure 9 when the receptacle is inverted I -Figure 11is, a topplan viewof Figure 10; #Figu're 12is a-fragmentary side, elevation of the top of the receptacle shown in Figure 9 with its closure or cap removed; 1

Figure 13 is a top plan viewof. Figure9 with the closure or cap removed; I

Figure 14 is a vertical sectionof a modified form'of the invention, as shownin Figures 1 and 9,; Y Y

Figure 15 is a top plan viewof Figure 14 "Figure 16 is a fragmentary and top plan view of Figure 14 when the cap or closure is shifted to permit the contents of thereceptacle to escape; and T Figure 17 is a fragmen ary side elevation ofthe neck of the receptacle shown in Figure 14 withitscap or closure removed. r

Referring. to Figures 1, 2, '3, 4, 5 and-6, 2O is the body of the receptacle provided with a cylindrical hollow neck or upper section 21- having preferably a depressed or inverted conical top 22; Near the circularouter edge of the, top 22 adjacent the upper and outer a straight shallow verticalgr'oove 25", a deeper" and straight groove 26 oblique or inclined to said groove 25, and a shallowerhorizontal straight groove 27 having an offset portion 28, said grooves being connected to one another', as clearly shownin Figure 3.

29 1s an annular cylindrical cap of closure whlch surrounds and loosely slides on the outer cylindricalwall of the hollow neck 21, and is provided on its inner wall with one or more projections or tits 3O registering with and adapted to slide in the deeper inohned groove section 26 of the depressions 24, as shown in Figure 1. The top section, upper" annular portion or edge 31 of the cap or closure 29 is formed with aseries of separated and inwardly projecting extensions 32, 32, preferably rectangular in shape and so spaced and of such number as to register with the openings or perforations 23,- 23, adjacent the upper and outer edge of the hollow neck 21, as shown in Figure 2.

The operation of the closure shown in Figmes 1 to 6 inclusive, isas' follows Assuming the parts having been assembled as shown in Figure 1 the interior-er th body" 20 of the reeeptab'le havin been filled with a powder, granular, or similar material and the receptacle is turned upside down, the wi llt Of the lOOSly Cal fled Cap OT' closure 29' will cause the same to slide down on the neck 21 and the rojection or tit 30 engaging the oblique or inclined from the vertical groove 26, will cause; said cap or closure 29- to rotate through an arc suffic'iently to have the inwardly projecting extension 32, 32, of said closure to move laterally and uncover the openings or perforations 23, 23. and permit the contents of the receptacle to gravitate and escape tlllollg'll said openings 23, and owing to the form of their wardly projecting conical top '22, the contents" of the receptacle are uniformly dis tributed and directed to said openings, as will be readily understood and need no fur ther disclosure. 7 1

When it is desired to ship or pack therece'ptaele and prevent the unintentional egress orl'oss of material within the receptacle, the cap or closure 29 is non-rotatably locked on the neck 21 by a partial rotation of said cap or closure on said neck, s'othat the projection or tit or tits 30 of the cap or closure at the bottom ofthe inclined groove 26 is forced into the groove 27 and frictionally engages its offset portion 28 and holds said closure or tion shown in Figures 9, 11

cap 29 in the position with its extensions 32, 32, tightly clamped over perforations 23, as indicated in Figure 1, and prevents the escape of the material from the recepta cle whatever. position said receptacle may assume. A

Figure 7 shows a plan view of a modified form of the cap or closure 29 shown in Figures 1 and 2, in that said closure or cap has v the inner ends of the inwardly projecting extensions 321 connected by an annulus 323 integrally formed with said extensions 321, as shown, which makes a stronger and more permanentstructure than that shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 8" shows a fragment of a cover or closure 324 sii'n'ilarto that illustrated in Fig ures 1 and 2 except that the underside of each of the inwardly projecting extensions 325 is provided with a small protrusion 326 adapted to pass down into the perforations o'r openings 23 tonot' only more tightly seal said openings but at the same time dislodge any material which might stick in said openings' and always keep the same clear for the proper-flow and egress ofthe material from the receptacle when turned upside down, as heretofore explained.

Figures 9, 10, 11", 12 and 13 illustratea furthe r inodificationof theinvention in which theneck 212 is' pro vid ed with a depressed or inverted conical top 221 similar to that shown in Figure 1, except that the openings or'perforations 231 and 232 are in the sides and apex of the cone surface as clearly shown in: Figure 9; The cap or closure 292 of this form is provided with a conical inwardly projecting top 327 which seats itself into the conical top 221 and over the perforations 231 to close the same. A further difference from the: cap or closure 29 shown in Figure 1 is that cap or closure 292 is provided with a series of separated openings or, perforations 328 arranged just within theuppe'r' circular V edge of said'ca'p 292-, as clearly indicated in Figure 9. The tits or projections 301' on said cap or closure 292 cooperate with depressions 'tion or tit 301 engage the horizontal portion 271 of the depression 241 in the manner as explained with reference to Figures 1,.to 6 andneeds no further disclosure.

The manner in which the form of invenand l-l operates is as follows:

lVhen the receptacle is inverted the top 327 of the cap or-closur'e 292 drops and is, separated from the inverted top 221 of the neck 212 into the position shown in Figure 10. which perm-its the material in the interior of the neck 221 to gravitate through theopenings 231 and thence out through the openings 328 in the path clearly indicated by arrows in Figure 10. When the receptacle is returned to its normal upright position the closure or cap 292 will again assume the position shown in Figure 9 and any material which might have accumulated or spilled into the conical chamber ofthe top 221 will pass down through the opening 232 in the apex of the cone and return to the interior of the neck 212 of receptacle and avoid any waste of said material; 1

" The modification of the invention shown in Figures 14, 15, 16 and 17 substantially the same as explained with reference to Figures 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, except that the neck 413 of the receptacleis provided with an inverted conical top 422 having only a series ,of separated elongated openings or perforaon the neck 413, the ribs 496 are seated over and close theopenings orrperforations 423 in the conical top 422, as indicated in Figures 14 and 15. The partial rotation and locking of this cap'or closure 493 is carried out substantially in the same manner as described with reference to Figure 3, in that the tit or projection 401, when the receptacleisv inverted, slides in groove or depression 426, shown in Figure 17, and the cap or closure 493 is rotated sutficiently to assim'ie' the position shown in Figure 16 and uncover the openings 423, and in order to lock the cap 493, said projectionl is slid and seated in the connected depression 427. and the ribs or spiders 496 are positionedand held over the openings 423,as indicated in Figure 14. r V

The operation of this last form is substantially the same as that described with reference to Figures 9 and 10, except that thematerial passes from the interior of the neck 413 out through the openings 423 and thence out through the openings 497 between the ribs 496, and should anyof the material onthe previous use have been spilled or deposited in the bottom of the conical top 422, said unused or accumulated material will pass down and through the opening 499, as will be readily understood. I

It will thus be seen that the present invention, tho-ugh simple and inexpensive'to nianug facture, fully and eiiiciently carries out all the functions and operations and has all the advantages recited in thestatement of inventhe cap against sliding.

tion. It is also obvious'that many changes or modifications" would: readily suggest themselves or maybe resorted to without departing from the spirit and essential features of the invention, and, therefore, I do 1 not'wish to be limited to the exact construetion andarrangelnent therein shown and described. 1

What I claim is:' r

1. A receptacle comprising a body having a; cylindrical hollow neck with a groove in the outer surface of its wall and a top having perforations for the outlet of the contents of the receptacle, an annular cylindrical closure or cap surrounding and loosely sliding on the cylindrical outer wall of said hollow neck and provided with imperforate inwardly projecting sections adapted to register with and cover the perforations of the top, and a projection on the inner side of said cap or closure within and engaging the groove in the outer surface of the wall of said neck to permitrotary as Well as longitudinal movement of said cap or closure on said neck, said closure sliding downward with a slight rotary motion on said neck when the receptacle is inverted to-uncover or expose said perforations and permit the contents of the receptacle to flow through said exposed perforations and escapefrom said receptacle.

2. A receptacle having a perforated top, a sleeve-like cap telescoping the receptacle and formed with lugs normally closing the perforations in said top, said caphaving a loose fit on-the receptacle, such that it will slide by gravity to uncover the perforations when the receptacle is inverted, and means for limitingthe sliding movement of the cap.

3. A- receptacle having perforated top, a sleeve-like cap telescoping the receptacle and formed with lugs normally closing the perforations in said top, said cap fitting loosely on'the receptacle wliere'byit will slide by "gravity to uncoverthe perforations whenthe receptacle is inverted, and means for limiting the sliding movement of the cap, said lugs having projections thereon adapted to enter said perforations. 4. A receptacle a cap telescoping the receptacle and formed with lugs normally closing the perforations in said top, said cap having a loose fit on the receptacle such that it will slide bygravity to uncover the perforations when the receptacle is inverted, means for limiting J the sliding movement of the cap, and means for securing 5. zkreceptacle having a perforated top,-a

cap Ztelescoping the receptacle and formed with lugs normallyclosing the perforations in-saidtop, said cap having a loose fit on the receptacle such that it will slide by gravity and uncover the perforations whenthe receptacle is-inverted,and coacting means on having a perforated top,

.tacle is inverte the receptacle and the cap for causing spiral movement of the cap when the latter slides.

6. A receptacle having a neck portion provided with an "end wall, the latter being formed with perforations near the periphery thereof, a sleeve on the neck portion and formed at its outer end with closure means overlapping said wall and normally closing said perforations, the sleeve being mounted to slide freely on the neck in such direction that when the receptacle is inverted the sleeve will be moved by gravity to uncover-said perforations, and means for-limiting the sliding movement of the sleeve.

7 A receptacle having a neck portion provided with an end wall, the latter being formed with perforations near the periphery thereof, a sleeve on the neck portion and formed at its outer end with closure means overlapping said wall and normally closing said perforations, the sleeve being loosely mounted on the neck, whereby when the receptacle is inverted the sleeve will slide by gravity on the neck and uncover said perforations, and means for limiting the sliding movement of the sleeve, said closure means including projections adapted to enter the perforations when the receptacle is in normal position. 7

8. A receptacle having a cylindrical neck portion provided with an end wall, the latter being formed with perforations near the periphery thereof, a cap comprising a sleeve portion fitted over the neck portion and formed at its outer end with spaced, inwardly turned members overlapping said wall and normally closing said perforations,- the sleeve being loosely mounted on the neck, whereby when the receptacle is inverted the sleeve will slide by gravity on the neck, and coacting stop means on the neck and sleeve porions respectively for limiting sliding movement of the sleeve, said stop means comprising a spiral groove in one of said portions and a tit on the other'portion engaging and guided by the groove, whereby the sleeve will move spirally as it slides on the neck and said members will move laterally out of register with the perforations when the recep- 9. 'A receptacle having a cylindrical neck portion with an inverted conical top wall, the latter being formed with perforations near the periphery thereof, a cap comprising a sleeve portion fitted over the neck portion and formed at its outer end with spaced, in-

. wardly-turned members adapted normally portions and a tit on the other portion engaging and guided by the groove, whereby the sleeve will move spirally as it slides on the neck and saidmembers will move laterally out of register with the perforations when the receptacle is inverted, said groove having a shallow lateral extension into which said tit may be forced to hold the cap by friction against gravitational sliding movement.

10. A receptacle having a cylindrical neck portion with an outer endwall, the latter being formed with perforations near the periphery thereof, a cap comprisinga sleeve portion fitted over the neck portion and formed at its outer end with spaced, inwardly-turned members adapted normally to overlie and close said perforations, the sleeve being loosely mounted on the neck whereby when the receptacle is inverted the sleeve will slide by gravity on the neck, and coacting stop means on the neck and sleeve portions, respectively, for limiting. sliding movement of the sleeve, said stop means comprising a spiral groove formed in the neck portion and a tit in the sleeve portion engaging the groove whereby the sleeve will move spirally as it slides on the neck and said members will move laterally out of reg ister with the perforations when the receptacle is inverted, said groove including a shallow extension through which the tit may be forced to apply or remove the cap from the receptacle, and said groove being also formed with a shallow lateral extension in which the tit may be forced to hold the cap against gravitational sliding movement.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

RAYMOND R. RUN DELL. 

